Services set for USA Wrestling’s Director of Safe Sport Dan Prochnow, 63, who passed away on Thursday
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by Gary Abbott, USA Wrestling
USA Wrestling is greatly saddened to report that one of its national staff executives, Director of Safe Sport Dan Prochnow of Colorado Springs, Colo., 63, passed away Thursday night.
Dan suffered a cardiac incident nine days prior to his passing, and was being treated at the respected Cleveland Clinic at the time of his death.
“Dan will be sorely missed, not only by his loving family, but by the entire Olympic sports community. Dan has become a real leader in the area of Athlete Safety. He is known for his infectious passion and fierce drive to design systems and programs to create safe and healthy environments for all athletes to train and compete. His shoes cannot be filled, but we will work tirelessly to further his vision and honor him by continuing wrestling’s commitment to top-notch athletes’ safety. For all his accomplishments professionally, which there are countless examples, Dan will be best remembered as a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. Our hearts break for his family as the entire Wrestling Community mourns the loss of this truly incredible man,” said USA Wrestling Executive Director Rich Bender.
A memorial service for Dan Prochnow will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 6 at the New Life Church – World Prayer Center, 11005 Voyager Parkway, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Prochnow became USA Wrestling’s first full-time Director of Safe Sport in April 2018, and established numerous new programs for the organization, helping USA Wrestling to become a leader within the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) in the Safe Sport area.
He came to USA Wrestling with vast experience in the legal profession, as well as an extensive and successful career in business. His unique mix of professional skills and background, as well as strong communication skills, allowed him to excel in his position.
Among his many achievements during his time at USA Wrestling was the creation of the USA Wrestling Safe Sport website and the USA Wrestling Safe Sport Manual. He helped form and build USA Wrestling’s network of Safe Sport Directors at the state association level and also implemented USA Wrestling’s new Safe Sport Task Force to provide guidance to the organization in ways to strengthen the program.
He launched USA Wrestling’s Stand Up for Kids and Takedown Misconduct campaign, designed to educate the public about how to make the sport safer for its participants, and helping encourage those who have any information about misconduct in wrestling to make a report.
Dan was also a leader within the national governing bodies of the USOPC, serving on a committee which helped set the direction for the Olympic family’s Safe Sport programs, while working closely to better integrate these efforts with the U.S. Center for Safe Sport.
Prochnow was actively involved in numerous other projects at USA Wrestling. Dan was a trusted advisor and mentor to his fellow national staff members, and became a great friend to many within the wrestling community.
Dan was a longtime Colorado Springs resident, and very active in the community, serving as a volunteer for a number of local service agencies.
Obituary from Dan’s Family:
Dan Kendall Prochnow
February 6, 1956 - January 24, 2020
Dan Kendall Prochnow "Pop Pop", 63, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family Friday, Jan. 24. Memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6, at New Life Church-World Prayer Center, 11005 Voyager Parkway, Colorado Springs, Colorado. Dan's birthday party will follow at 2 p.m. at New Life Church Main Cafeteria.
Dan was born Feb. 6, 1956, in Hutchinson, Minnesota. He graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1974, Gustavus Adolphus College in 1978, and the University of Minnesota Law School in 1981.
Dan practiced law in Minneapolis and Hutchinson. He was an entrepreneur in Colorado Springs with Pro Golf Discount, Mr. Sandless and Elements Massage. He was involved in professional leadership for international business development at Compassion International and AFMIN (African Ministries). Most recently, Dan was director of Safe Sport at USA Wrestling.
His civic leadership involvement included Hutchinson Jaycees, Christ the King Church, Crow River Golf Club, USGA Senior Open and First Tee Colorado Springs. He was a basketball and golf coach and lead usher at New Life Downtown Church.
Dan was an avid golfer, inheriting the craft from his dad, Bob, as the two of them shared club champion titles at Crow River Golf Club many times. Dan was a member of the Gustavus golf team where he was MIAC champion from 1976-1978, and was inducted into the Gustavus Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006.
Dan, above all else, was the biggest cheerleader of his family and a mentor to many. He spent every second he could with his daughters and their families. He was a faithful servant of the Lord and led his family with so much love and passion.
Dan is survived by his wife Laura; daughters, Angie (Jordan), Kelsie (Joshua) and Hannah (Daniel); brother Scott Prochnow; sister Jeremy Phillips; grandchildren, Maxwell, Tilly, Junah, Bindi, Kaizen, Emarie and Mawson; and the Akerman-Turner families of South Africa.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Dan and Laura Prochnow's GoFundMe or directly to the family to distribute in Dan’s honor.
Arrangements by The Springs Funeral Services, online at tsfs.co.
Dan suffered a cardiac incident nine days prior to his passing, and was being treated at the respected Cleveland Clinic at the time of his death.
“Dan will be sorely missed, not only by his loving family, but by the entire Olympic sports community. Dan has become a real leader in the area of Athlete Safety. He is known for his infectious passion and fierce drive to design systems and programs to create safe and healthy environments for all athletes to train and compete. His shoes cannot be filled, but we will work tirelessly to further his vision and honor him by continuing wrestling’s commitment to top-notch athletes’ safety. For all his accomplishments professionally, which there are countless examples, Dan will be best remembered as a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. Our hearts break for his family as the entire Wrestling Community mourns the loss of this truly incredible man,” said USA Wrestling Executive Director Rich Bender.
A memorial service for Dan Prochnow will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 6 at the New Life Church – World Prayer Center, 11005 Voyager Parkway, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Prochnow became USA Wrestling’s first full-time Director of Safe Sport in April 2018, and established numerous new programs for the organization, helping USA Wrestling to become a leader within the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) in the Safe Sport area.
He came to USA Wrestling with vast experience in the legal profession, as well as an extensive and successful career in business. His unique mix of professional skills and background, as well as strong communication skills, allowed him to excel in his position.
Among his many achievements during his time at USA Wrestling was the creation of the USA Wrestling Safe Sport website and the USA Wrestling Safe Sport Manual. He helped form and build USA Wrestling’s network of Safe Sport Directors at the state association level and also implemented USA Wrestling’s new Safe Sport Task Force to provide guidance to the organization in ways to strengthen the program.
He launched USA Wrestling’s Stand Up for Kids and Takedown Misconduct campaign, designed to educate the public about how to make the sport safer for its participants, and helping encourage those who have any information about misconduct in wrestling to make a report.
Dan was also a leader within the national governing bodies of the USOPC, serving on a committee which helped set the direction for the Olympic family’s Safe Sport programs, while working closely to better integrate these efforts with the U.S. Center for Safe Sport.
Prochnow was actively involved in numerous other projects at USA Wrestling. Dan was a trusted advisor and mentor to his fellow national staff members, and became a great friend to many within the wrestling community.
Dan was a longtime Colorado Springs resident, and very active in the community, serving as a volunteer for a number of local service agencies.
Obituary from Dan’s Family:
Dan Kendall Prochnow
February 6, 1956 - January 24, 2020
Dan Kendall Prochnow "Pop Pop", 63, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family Friday, Jan. 24. Memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6, at New Life Church-World Prayer Center, 11005 Voyager Parkway, Colorado Springs, Colorado. Dan's birthday party will follow at 2 p.m. at New Life Church Main Cafeteria.
Dan was born Feb. 6, 1956, in Hutchinson, Minnesota. He graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1974, Gustavus Adolphus College in 1978, and the University of Minnesota Law School in 1981.
Dan practiced law in Minneapolis and Hutchinson. He was an entrepreneur in Colorado Springs with Pro Golf Discount, Mr. Sandless and Elements Massage. He was involved in professional leadership for international business development at Compassion International and AFMIN (African Ministries). Most recently, Dan was director of Safe Sport at USA Wrestling.
His civic leadership involvement included Hutchinson Jaycees, Christ the King Church, Crow River Golf Club, USGA Senior Open and First Tee Colorado Springs. He was a basketball and golf coach and lead usher at New Life Downtown Church.
Dan was an avid golfer, inheriting the craft from his dad, Bob, as the two of them shared club champion titles at Crow River Golf Club many times. Dan was a member of the Gustavus golf team where he was MIAC champion from 1976-1978, and was inducted into the Gustavus Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006.
Dan, above all else, was the biggest cheerleader of his family and a mentor to many. He spent every second he could with his daughters and their families. He was a faithful servant of the Lord and led his family with so much love and passion.
Dan is survived by his wife Laura; daughters, Angie (Jordan), Kelsie (Joshua) and Hannah (Daniel); brother Scott Prochnow; sister Jeremy Phillips; grandchildren, Maxwell, Tilly, Junah, Bindi, Kaizen, Emarie and Mawson; and the Akerman-Turner families of South Africa.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Dan and Laura Prochnow's GoFundMe or directly to the family to distribute in Dan’s honor.
Arrangements by The Springs Funeral Services, online at tsfs.co.
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